In the Han Palace, Liu Chengyou woke up from a hangover early in the morning. After taking care of himself, the first thing he did was to go to the Yaohua Palace to visit Concubine Gao and the second princess who was born in Fang. As soon as Fang left the palace, he was informed that He Fujin was already in the palace waiting to see him.
Returning to the Chongzheng Hall, I found the old commander standing respectfully outside the hall. His strength was so weak that it was almost impossible to support his old and thin body. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou hurriedly stopped him from saluting and ordered to Zhang Dejun: "Quickly, help Mr. He into the palace!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After entering the palace and taking a seat, he looked at the old He Fujin. After a night banquet, the illness on his face seemed to have worsened. Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh: "I was negligent. Mr. He is so sick that he should come to visit!"
He Fujin responded humbly: "Your Majesty is so caring, I am very grateful to you!"
Seeing that he was seriously ill and struggling to support himself, Liu Chengyou stopped talking and spoke quickly, saying: "I summoned Mr. He to consult with him about the adjustment of the northern garrison. Mr. He is in the north. I have been in charge of the army for many years and can be said to be a powerful city. I am familiar with the military situation and I hope you will give me some advice."
"I wonder how your Majesty plans to adjust?" He Fujinchen asked in a weak voice.
Liu Chengyou spoke in a calm tone and said: "I won't hide anything from Mr. He. In recent years, the Privy Council has reorganized and eliminated the world's armies, and implemented a rotational garrison system. Now it is on the right track. Only the Northern Army, I have not made any big moves. Without him, it's just that the world is not at peace, and the northern captives still steal the mountains and rivers of Han Dynasty.
If the armies in the north are rotated, the generals will be alienated and it will be difficult to ensure combat effectiveness. He Gong is all in the north, so you should know that I am of great use to the Hebei frontier army, not just to build a line of defense that is not impregnable..."
After listening to Liu Chengyou's words, He Fujin's somewhat cloudy eyes showed a hint of surprise. He thought for a while and said to him calmly: "Your Majesty, before, entrusted the old minister with trust, has full authority to take charge of military affairs and defense, and has the power to mobilize border defense and do things expediently." . Now that Han and Liao have been negotiating peace for more than three years, there are few things happening on the border, and I have great power in my hands, so it is time to return it to the imperial court..."
"No! Mr. He misunderstood, that's not what I meant! I have always been trustless in employing people. If I didn't trust anyone, I would not have given authority to him in the first place!" Liu Chengyou waved his hands repeatedly.
"Your Majesty, I am very old and dying. I hope you will forgive me for saying something from the bottom of my heart!" He Fujin said with a calm expression: "I served in the Tang and Jin Dynasties, and even in the Han Dynasty, I was tired in the army. The only things the court cares about are the powerful warriors and the arrogant soldiers. It's just that the powerful generals are causing trouble. Looking at the rise and fall of the three generations, we have indeed been deeply affected by it.
However, today's Han Dynasty is far away from the three dynasties of Liang, Tang and Jin. With the strength of the center, it is far from being able to resist with the power of a corner of the country and an army. Furthermore, at present, the Northern Army's supplies of food, grass, and ordnance are all in the hands of the imperial court. No matter how sharp the sword is, the hilt is held in His Majesty's hand.
And Your Majesty, who wants to achieve great things, will one day send his troops to the Northern Expedition, and at that time, soldiers will still be needed to fight for it. And the officers and soldiers have also received much grace from His Majesty. With Your Majesty’s power today, there is no need to tie themselves up because of small worries..."
Hearing He Fujin's plea, Liu Chengyou slowly had a faint smile on his lips. He looked at He Fujin and said, "I've been holding these words in my heart for a long time. I just don't know whether it was He Gong's intention or the military commander's." Do all generals and commanders have this thought?"
He Fujin: "It's just a veteran, just my humble opinion!"
Seeing that the emperor was lost in thought, He Fujin added: "If your majesty wants to reorganize the Northern Army, you can make adjustments to the generals and the army. However, all the troops and horses are elites who have been trained for many years and are well-trained... "
"How does the general adjust?" Liu Chengyou interrupted him.
He Fujin coughed a few times and responded: "The old minister is sick. Your Majesty has seen it with your own eyes. He is not dead yet, but he is already embarrassed by his great responsibility. I beg your Majesty to appoint another commander to control the northern troops!"
Looking at He Fujin, Liu Chengyou suddenly realized, no wonder He Fujin was so bold today, so he didn't avoid taboos and spoke sincerely. Indeed, he had considered retiring early. In fact, Liu Chengyou may not have had this intention when he called him back to Beijing. Not to mention anything else, just because of his illness, he is not suitable to be the commander-in-chief of the Northern Frontier Army.
Liu Chengyou didn't respond for a moment, as if he was thinking about it. He Fujin, with a hint of hesitation on his face, added: "Among the military envoys in Hebei, Ma Quanyi and Luo Yanxuan are both talented generals. They have good command of the troops and have won the hearts of the soldiers. Only Li Jun of the Baoding Army, please ask your Majesty to be the general." Transfer away!"
"Oh?" Liu Chengyou raised his eyebrows and said to him meaningfully: "I heard that Mr. He and Li Jun have never been on good terms!"
He Fujin's expression became more serious, and he faced the emperor's scrutiny directly and responded: "Indeed! But I have this advice not out of personal grudges. Li Jun is arrogant and has a high self-esteem. He has never been satisfied with the position of an army envoy. However, when I look at this person, this person Military training may have merits, but it cannot convince others. It has rough generals and bravery, but no commanders. If it is placed in the north for a long time, with its temperament and ambition, sooner or later trouble will occur, which will be detrimental to the morale of the army and even affect His Majesty's plans!"
"I understand Mr. He's wishes!" Liu Chengyou breathed a sigh of relief and waved his hand to He Fujin: "I still need to think about Mr. He's words. I need to step aside first and rest up!"
"Yes! I resign!"
"Zhang Dejun, please send my chariot to escort Mr. He out of the palace!" Liu Chengyou ordered with a flash of his eyes. He was once again the benevolent master who treated his generals favorably.
"How dare I! Your Majesty, please take back your order!" He Fujin was shocked and quickly refused.
"He Gong has spared no effort and traveled thousands of miles to come to Beijing to see you. I give you this short journey to express my feelings. There is no need to refuse!" Liu Chengyou said grandly, with a smile on his face.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" He Fujin took a deep breath and bowed down, inevitably moved.
"Zhang Dejun, help Mr. He out!"
"yes!"
After He Fujin retreated, Liu Chengyou fell into deep thought. He Fujin's words made him a little wary. Over the years, the Forbidden Army has gone through many rounds of rectification and has basically been firmly under control.
On the contrary, it was the local army that had conducted several large-scale trainings. The specific effects and military conditions now made him doubtful. Especially the two border armies, one in Hebei and the other in Southwest. In the southwest, there is no need to worry for the time being. The attack on Shu is imminent, and the focus of the imperial court lies there.
As for the Northern Front, it has been more than six years old and has nearly 50,000 troops. The weight is too heavy. Liu Chengyou didn't want to move lightly, but in order to reassure himself, he had to move. The idea of the Northern Patrol took root in Liu Chengyou's mind again.
...
In the spring of March, the wind is beautiful and the sun is beautiful. Outside Kaifeng City, the grass is growing and warblers are flying. In the wilderness and deep in the dense forest, there are many tourists outing to enjoy the scenery.
In the past few days, Liu Chengyou took the Hebei generals who came to Beijing to go hunting, drink and party, and keep in touch with each other.
On the way back from hunting, I received an urgent report: "Your Majesty, He Dushuai has died of illness!"
"What!" Liu Chengyou's expression hardened and his brows knitted together: "Didn't the imperial doctor say that it has been relieved in the past two days?"
All the Bei generals nearby heard this report, and they all had different expressions, all showing sadness. Only Li Jun's eyes were bright and he almost couldn't hold back his smile.
Liu Chengyou only glanced around, not caring much, and set off on horseback: "Go back to the city!"
"Is there any problem with He Fujin's death?" After returning to the palace, Liu Chengyou directly summoned Li Chongju and asked seriously.
"Your Majesty! He died of illness indeed!" Li Chongju replied.
"What did the imperial doctor say?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"He Dushuai spent his whole life in the army, and he had many hidden wounds on his body. He was prone to attacks in old age. He worked as a border guard for many years and became ill from overwork. He died early. This time he returned to Beijing and was exhausted all the way, which made his condition worse. Last night, he suddenly developed a high fever. , passed away." Li Chongju said.
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but close his eyes, showing regret: "Then it's me who killed Mr. He!"
"Your Majesty, Mr. He's illness cannot be cured by any medicine. The imperial doctor also said that even if he takes good care of himself, he can only survive and will not survive this year. Your Majesty does not need to blame himself!" Li Chongju explained.
He Fujin's death was sudden and had nothing to do with Liu Chengyou. There was no need for him to target such a critically ill veteran. However, his sudden death from illness still caught Liu Chengyou off guard.
More importantly, he died at an untimely time...
The Northern General came to Beijing to celebrate his birthday. Within a few days, the commander-in-chief of the army died. Even if he died of illness, it would inevitably arouse suspicion. Especially when Liu Chengyou dismissed all the military governors and defensemen who went to Beijing.
Just by looking at the reactions of those military envoys, we can know what impact He Fujin's death will have.
Sighing heavily, Liu Chengyou quickly collected his thoughts and ordered: "Pass the imperial edict, stay out of court for three days, and let all civil and military officials go to express their condolences to Mr. He!"
Now that the matter has come to this, Liu Chengyou can only try his best to minimize its impact. As for Liu Chengyou, a more urgent question is before him. After He Fujin dies, who will succeed him?
